Auto safety conduit cut-off



C. D. CRUCKER. AUTO SAFETY coNDul CUT-DFF.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23. I9I8- Patented Nov. 16, 1926:,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. D. CROCKER. YAuw SAFETY comun cumff. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23,1918. 1,359,035, Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES D. CROCKEB, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

.AUTO SAFETY CONDUIT CUT-OFF.

Specification cf Letters Patent. Patented Nov, 16, 192() Application ilerll August 23, Y1918. Serial 1Io. 251,189.1V

`To all whom t may concern.'

. `Be it 'known that l, CHARLES D. CRooKnR,

a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofY Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Auto-Safety-,Conduit Cut-Offs, of which the' following is a specification.

My invention relates to cut-oill devicesattachable to the means o i'supply between the main source of supply andthe point of use, and the meter in the Vcase of illuminating or other gas, electricity, water or other fluid vsubstance ormatter with which a meter Vis customarily employed, may be considered i the point of use, andthe objects of my invention are lirst, to provide a cut-ofi device foruse in a dwelling, building or other structure; which cut-off device is operated by hand in either the interior, or operated by handy `from the exterior of the dwelling, building or structure toshut off flow, and which also is provided Awith automatic operative means for shutting oil flow; second, to provide such a cut-off device for use on automobiles, motor trucks and motor boats;` and third, lto provide suchV a cut-off device, which when shut olf by hand may readily be reset, for operation by hand or tooperate automatically and which if shut oil automatically may be readily and quickly .restored4 to hand voperative condition. To the accomplishment of the above stated objects, and others lof a similar nature, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement oi' parts set forth in and fallingv within the'scope of the claims forming parthereof. And it should be understood that l do not confine myself to alll the'details of construction, as there may be modii'ication thereof and variation thereinv without departing from the spirit o my invention or exceeding the scope of the ap,-V pended claims: l attain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,-

Figure 1 is a `side elevation of my handoperated and automatic cut-oli1 device .applied tothe inlet pipe of a building at a point between the inlet and ameter, and arranged to be shut olf by hand at or near its'location and also to be shut oil by hand fromv an upper story or compartment of the building,'and also to be shut off by hand from the exterior oi the building.

Fig. 2*.is a horizontal sectional view of my cut-off device on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig 3 is a vertical sectional View of my cut-ofdevice showing the means for shutting off by hand from the exterior of a'. building. l

Fig. 4 is a side view of my cut-olf device.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of my cut-oil. device viewed from the right hand side of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a'plan View of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation in vertical section of the valve portion of my cut-oil device.

Fig. 8 is aview of my cut-off device as appliedto an automobile, the device being attached adjacent to the carbureter.

Fig. 9 is a side View, in perspective, of a modified forni of my cut-off device.

Fig. 10, is a top plan view, partly in horizontal section, of a modified form of my cutoff device.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. My hand operated and automatic cut-off device comprises, in its primary elements or parts, a valve 15, having a case, a rocker arm, 16, a vertical support 17, a horizontal support 18, and aretaining and releasing pin, 19, Finse, 5, 6 and 7.

rThe valve portion of my deviceconsists of a valve case, 20, having an inlet, 21. attachable in thecustomary manner to the main 'supply pipe in a position between the source .end of the vertical support 17, and has a recessed head, 26, the head Q6, being constructed to engage inthe slot of the pin and slot member, 25, of the valve stem while the recess oir' the head, 26, engages over and plays upon the pin of the member 25. The rocker arm, 16, is of the shape shown in the drawings, that is, when in locked position, Fig. 4;, it has a diagonally extending portion' 27, and a downwardly and vertically extendingv portion, 28, the central longituinatter more fully described,

Vio

' pointy), and the'i'usible pin 19, are aboutlv i 19, Would helene-half said pressure.

tially parallel with the central longitudinal line oi the vertical support,'17, on Which the 1 rocker arm ulcrums, to bring as slight Vstrain and stress, as conveniently can be,

on the; retaining and releasing pin 19, herei which pin 19, when made of iusiblematerial is somewhat delicate in nature. 1t is obvious as shown inFig. 11, thatoiving to the leverageexerted vupon the reclrer'arm 16., by ,reason of the tension 'of the spring which operates the valve 23, the 'fusible pin 19, is subjected to greatly reduced strain. That is, oWingto theiact that the distance between the pin iC the member the pivotal point 0, as against the distance between the pivotal to Qi'espectively, and therefore it' the spring exerts apiessui'e, 'lor urampie ot 5 pounds, the consequent strain upon the iusible gin` hoizontal support,'18, is provided Vat its outer end with an engagement recess, 29, to receive the end ot' the pin, 19.. For-strength and to avoid possible looseness or play oi Vthe parts and to resist the'efl'ect or' heat or tire, the vertical support, 17, and the heri- Zontal support, 18, preferably are made integra?. ivith the cap on the valve case. rThe horizontal support, 1S, is provided `with branch, 30, at right angles thereto, to which is pivetally secured a tripping arm, 31, Figs.

and G.

The retaining and releasing pin 19, is rigidly secured at one end to the inner end or the trippingvarm, 31, and operatesthereivithfthe tripping arm 31,. and thepin 19, being substantially horizontal when the pin is in retaining position. A

pin, 19, engageable with the outer edge ot the vertically extending portion, 2S, e

of the roclrer arm when Ysaid arm is locked,

' and the pin 19, at the saine time engages in recess 29, of the support 18, when the pin 19, and the tripping arm, 31, as Well,

. in position for retaining the roclrer arm Y locked.

pielierabiy is, provided with a member, 32,

The pin 19, is tapered toward its end Where it engages in the recess, 29, or the support 18, but not tapered enough to prevent eiifective engagement in the' recess,

29, rllie pin 19, pret'ei'ably is made of iusibleV material, that is, oi such material as readily to i''use or melt under heat and yet be sui'liciently strong 'for retaining purposes. Such fusible quality, however, relates only f o1 erative 'feature of my device is not necessary or desirable, the pin,

19, may be of any suitable metal or material.v

The branch 30,01 my device may be, and

having'detent recesses 33, engaging dctent projections 33, the adjacent end ot the tripping arm 31, the intention being to hold The outer end oi zontal position and prevent tendency, if any there be, of the pin 19, to loosen in its lock-l ing engagement. The tripping arm 31,V has .t its outer endV a hole or other suitable arangement for attaching thereto the handhe valve, 15, is provided Withpacking, 311, (Fig. 7 to render it liiid tight,Y All the parts Lor elements oft deviee?, including Ythe packing 341, o' the valve, are made or `non-combustible material, the pin, 19, being excepted when my device isy automatically operative. i; p Y The form my device, igs. 9 and 10, is

unintended to vcut ofi1 the flow otelectric'ity in is ue d Yin association with ay main cut-outY switch S, and vcomprises in its priinaryvelements or parts'a vv'all'block or plate, 35,

perating means for shutting 'oil my device.'V

a bracket or plate 36, attached to the block or plate-35, having at one end alock-post 3'?, an intermediate armsupportingpost 38, a spring and Contact member 39, a swinging arm 1V-G, and a retaining and releasing pin L11. The loclr-post'37, has at its outer end longitudinal slot e2, to receive the adjacent'end ofthe swinging arm 4G, when the armV is moving outivardly,eand an extending head 13, With an engagement recess 111,

therein, to receive one end of the pin 41.

The arm supporting post, 38, is provided at, its outer end with a rectangular branch-Y `head 45, to the under side of Which the swinging Aarm' 40 is Ypiv'oted vto pei-mit the "arm to siving radially. The arm supporting post 38 may have a h'oled6,"therethrough roi` passage of a Wire, chain or other flexible member for shutting oit my device by hand.

The spring and contact'member 39, consists or" a case -1-7, preferably cylindrical, attached to or forming part'o the bracket or plate 36, and receiving slidably a stem 48,' having a rectangular branch head 119, With the under side of which the outer end of the swinging arm 10a-engages and by contact therewith is not .permitted to swing tartherinward. A spring, 50, embraces the caseV 417, and the stein 4S, the spring being seatedl on the base, 49 and bearing against the rear of the branch head L19, with a tendency to force the branclrhead andstemV outward, but not suciently so to Withdraw the stem entirely from the case'47l A vinaul-head 51, is pivotally attached to the base block or plate 35, adjacent to and below the lockpost 37, and the retaining and releasing pin 41, is secured thereto to operate therewith. The man1-head 51 is provided with acurved tripping arm 52, so arranged relative to the Lemoeb tion.

My device is provided with what, for purposes of description and claim, I term operation terminals, which may be local 0pe'ration terminals or distant operation' terminals. The local operation terminal, for instance, isV determined by the ring R, 'Fig 1, oi' other suitable pull member, locatedv adjacent to my device, as in C as indicating the basement of a building, and connectedto my device byV a chain or other suitable means to shut'oil' `flow. The distant operation terminal is determined by a suitable pull member 54, l cated in A as indicatingl the second story a'building and distant from my device, orv by a. pull member, 55, located in the exterior wallet a buildingor structure and accessible from the outside, in that'respect being distant from my device, as it is apparent that, although the member 55, is shown near my device it'may be Vplaced in a vestibule, outer wall, or any suitable position distant ierommy device but accessible trom the outside or" a building. The importance ot such terminals is realized when it is considered that manycities and towns have, legally appointed persons whose first duty, inj case of lire, is toV shut off the iiow oi gas, electricity or water from the burningr building, which bymy device can be done readily, and without danger.

The means, such as wire'or chain, connecting the distant terminals with the t 'ipping arm 31, or 52 oimy device, as the case may be, Vmav be led through pipes or conduits either through or on the'walls oi. buildings or structures, or anv other suitable conducting means may be used. The local operation termi .al a ring it, or other suitable operation member adjacent to my devi the interior distant operation terminal is a pull member or other suitable operation member located on an upper story, and the eX- terior distant operation terminal is a pull member, 55, or other suitable operation member located in the vestibule orV exterior wall oi"A a building and suitably accessible, but protected from intermeddlers, rEhe operation of my hand operated and automatic cut-oil' device is as follows:

Vlie rocker arm 16, Figs. 4 and 5, is drawn down to unseat the valve 23, and locked in iosition by engagement of the pin 19, with t and .in the recess 29 in the horizontal sup- ;ort 18, the horizontal support andrecess thus oviding a detaining means, the valve beheld open and flow permitted. Upward strain upon the tripping arm 31, releases the pin 19 and permits the automatic reseating of the valve 23, and flow is shut off. In automatic operation fusing or melting' of the pin 19, releases the rocker arm 16, and shuts off llow through lthe valve. In such case a new fusible pin, 19, is required to reset the valve for low, but for temporary purposes a nail or piece of wire may be used instead of the fusible' pin 19, but in such case the device, while hand operable, will not be au-V tomatically operative until a new fusible pin is provided.

ln operation of the form of my device Figs. 9 and 19, the pin 41, engaging the inner end of the swinging arm 40, and in the recess 44, of the lock-post 3T, holds the swinging arm in inoperable Contact with the throw handle 56, of the switch S, and compresses the spring 48, and permits flow, the lock-post 37, providing a means for detaining the swinging arm 40. Release of the pin, 41, by upward strain on the tripping arm 52, or by fusing of the pin 41, relieves the tension of the spring 48. The outer end of the swinging arm 40, is forced i'orward and with it the switch handle 56, and the circuit is broken and the flow of electricity shut off.' All the parts or elements of this `iorm oi my device are made or" non-combustible material, the pin, 41, being excepted when my device is automatically operative.

I claim:

1. A cut-off device located between the source of supply and the point of use and comprising, a cut-ofi' for permitting or preventing iiow,'an oscillating member for operating the cut-off, immobile detaining means for the oscillating member, a swing-y ing member, a pin carried by said swinging member and movable therewith in a circular path and engageable with the immoble detaining means and engageable Vwith said oscillatingmemberto retain the oscillating member `'in detained posit-ion for permitting flow, and ,means for operating the swinging member to move said pin for releasing the oscillating member from said detained position to operate the cut-oil' to prevent flow.

2. A cut-oli' device located between the source of supply and the point of use and comprising, a cut-oli for permitting or preventing llow, an oscillating member for operating the cut-oli, a fixed member provided with a recess, said oscillatingmember being arranged foriniovement to bringr one end thereof substantially at right angles to said fixed member at a pointpadjacent to said recess, a swinging member, a pin carried by said swinging member and movable therewith in a'circular path and engageahle in said recess and engageable with said end of the oscillating member when the oscillating member is in said adjacent position to retain the oscillating member in detained po- Ul i *Y with said detisition for permitting liow', and means for operating the swinging member to move saidv pin for releasing the oscillating inember from said detained position to operate the cut-ottr to prevent iiow.

A cut-oil' device located between the source of supply and the point o use and comprising cut-oli fior permitting or pre- Vventing ilow, an oscillating Ymember for operating the cut-ofi"e a fixed' member having a recess i'ormed therein, said oscillat- .ing member being arranged for movement said detained position to operate the cutoil to prevent flow.

4. A cut-off device located between the source ot supply and the point ot use and comprising, a cut-oli' for permitting or pre` venting flow, an oscillating member for operating thecut-oii"7 detaining means ior the oscillating member, means comprising a tusible pi1i,'said Vi'usible pin being engageable 'ning means and eng igeable with said oscillating member to retain the oscillating member in detained-positicn for permitting flow,V said oscillating member being releasable by fusing of said pin Jfrom said detained position to operate the cutolt to prevent flow.

' 5. A cut-off device located between the source of supply and the point o' use and comprising, a cut-off for permitting or preventing liow, an oscillating member for operating the cut-oli", detaining means for 7 the oscillating` member provided with a re cess, means comprising` a` fusible pin7 said pin being engageable in said recess and engageable with said oscillating member to retain the oscillating member in detained position for permitting flow, said oscillating member being releasable by fusing oi said pin 'from detained position to operate the cut-olf to prevent flow.

6. A cut-ofi' device located between the source oi'i supply and the point ot use and comprising, with means for operative support ot the parts7 a cut-off for aermitting or preventing` flow, an oscillating member for operating the cut-off, a fixed support provided with a recess, a swinging member provided with a fusible pin7 said pin being engageable in said recess of the fixed support and engageable with said oscillating -niember to retain the oscillating member in positionV for `permitting flow, and being .i'eleasable by vfusing from said engagement i for releasing the oscillating member to operatethe cut-olf to prevent ow. i

A cut-oli device located between the source of supply and the point of use, and comprising a valve case, a valve in said case provided with an extended stem, a rocker member operatively supported and engaging said valve stemtor operating the vvalve to permit or to preventliow, a support provided with a recess at an end thereoi'f, a tripping armoperatively supported and torelease said rocker member foiroperat-4V ing said valve to prevent liow therethrough.

8'. A cut-oil device comprising a valve case'having a source ot supplyfinlet and a point of use outlet' and having. avvertical support anda horizontal support rigidly lixed on the case at the upper end thereof, a horizontal support having a recess near the outer end7 a valvein saidvcase and having a stem extended through the case, said stem having a slot andai pin for the slot at the upper end, a rocker arm pivoted-on said vertical support Vvand havinga head engaging in the slotof the va ve stem and a recess in the head engaging saidpin, and having a lo. 7nwardlyextending portion terminating ricent to and below the horizontal support on the valve case, anda pin operatively supported and engageable withthe edge of the downwardly extending portion of the Y rocker arm and engageable in the recess in the horizontal support to retain the rocker a rm in position for unseating the valve, said pin being adapted to release the rocker arm and permit the valve to seat.

A cut-off device comprising a valve case having a source oifpsupply inlet and a point of use outlet and having a vertical support and a horizontal support rigidly ixed on the c: :e at the upper end thereof, the horizontal support having a recess near the outer end, a s )rin g actuated valve in said case having a stem extended through the case, said stem havinga vertical slot and a pin for the slot at the upper end, a rocker arm pivoted on said vertical support and having a head enn' pfing in the slot of the valve stem and a res in the head engaging said pin, and having a downwardly extending portion terminating adjacent to and below the horizontal.

support on `the valve case, a pin operatively supported and engageable with the edge of the downwardly extending portion oli the rocker arm and engageable in therecess in the horizontal support to retain the rocker arm in position to unseat the valve, said pin being adapted by fusing to release the rocker arm and permit the valve to seat.

l0. A cut-ott device comprising a yvalve case having a source oty supply inlet and a point ot use outlet and having a vertical support and a horizontal support rigidly fixed on the case at the upper end thereoii, the Yhorizontal support having a transverse recess near the outer-eno, a spring actuated valve in saidcase having a stem extended through the case, said stein having a vertical slot and a transverse pin for the s lot at the upper end, a rocker arm pivoted on said vertical support and having a head engaging in the slot ot' the'valve stem and a recess in the head engagingsaid transverse pin, and having a downwardly extending portion terminating adjacent to and slightly below the horizontal support on the valve case, an arm pivoted on said horizontal support having an extending pin operatingtherewith and engageable with the outer edgeoit the downwardly extending portion of the rocker arm and engageable in said recess Vin the horizontal support to retain the rocker armY in position for unseating the valve, and means for operating the pivoted arm to release the rocker arm and permit the valve to seat.

ll. A eut-oft device comprising a valve case having a source of supply inlet and a point of use outlet and having a Yvertical support and a horizontal support rigidly lixed onthe case at the upper end thereof, the horizont-al support having a transverse recess near the outer end, a spring actuated valve in said case having a stemV extending through the case, said stem having a transverse slot and a transverse pin tor the slot at the Lipper end, a rocker arm pivoted on said vertical support and having a head engaging in the slot ot the valve stem and a recess in the head engaging said transverse pin, and having a downwardly extending portion terminating adjacent to and slightly below the horizontal support on the valve case, an arm pivoted on said horizontal support having an extending fusible pin operating therewith and engageable with the outer edge of the downwardly extending vportion of the rocker arm and engageable in said recess in the horizontal support to retain the rocker arm in position for unseating the valve, and means for operating said pivoted arm to release the rocker arm and permit the valve to seat.

12. A cut-off device comprising a valve case having a source of supply inlet and a point oi' use outlet and having a vertical support and a horizontal supportvrigidly 'fixed on theY case at the upper end thereo'l,

the horizontal support having a transverse recess near the outer end, a spring actuated valve in said case having a stem ext-ending through the case, said stem having a vert-ical tical siipport and having a head engaging in the slot of the valve stein'and a recess in the head engaging said transverse pin, and hav ing downwardly extending portion termi nating adjacent to and slightly below the horizontal support on the valve case, an arm pi'voted on said horizontal support having an oppositely extending pin operating therewith and engageable with the outer edge oi' the downwardly extending portion of the rocher arm and engageable in said recess in the horizontal support to retain the rocker arm' in position for unseating the valve, said pivoted arm having detent projections at its inner end, a spring actuated detent having recesses engaging the before mentioned prdjections, and means for operating said pivoted arm to release the rocker arm and permit the valve to seat.

13. A cut-oh device comprising a eut-olf for; permitting or preventing flow, an oscillating member foroperatiiig the cut-off, a fixed member for providing detaining means Yfor the-oscillating member, a swinging inember provided with a bore, a pin received in said bore and movable with the swinging member on the axis of the swinging member, 'said pin being engageable with said detaining means and engageable with said oscillating member to retain the oscillating member in detained position for permitting low, and means for operating the swinging member to move said pin for releasing tlie oscillating member from said detained position to operate the cut-off to prevent flow.

lll. A cut-ott device comprising, a cut-oli for permitting or preventing flow, an oscillating member for operating the cut-off, a iixed member for providingdetaining means for the osc'llating member, a swinging member provided with a bore, and a pin received in said boi'e and movable with the swinging member on the axis of the swinging member, said pin beingengageable with said detaining means and engageable with said oscillating member to retain the oscillating member in detained position for permitting flow, and being fusible for releasing the oscillating member from said detained position.

l5. In combination, a cut-o, detaining means, a pivoted member, a pin arranged transversely to the pivot of said member and movable with said member in a circular path for engagement with said detaining means transversely thereto, and an operating member for the cut-off arranged to engage said pin transversely thereto between said de` tainingV means and said pivoted member when said pin is in engagement with said detaining means for retaining the operating member in detained position, said operating member being releasable from said deo tained position by movement of said pivoted member to release said pin from transverse engagement with said detaining means.

16. In combination, a cutoff, detaining` means, a pivoted member, a pin arranged transversely to the pivot of said member and movable with said member in a circular path and engageable with said detaining means transversely thereto, and an operating member for the cut-off arranged to engage said pin transversely thereto between said detaining means and said pivoted member when saidy pin is in engagement with said detaining means for retaining the operating member in detained position, said pin being fusible for releasing the operating member Vfrom said detained position.

Y 17. In Combination, a Cut-olf, a iixed member having a reoess formed therein, a pivoted member, a pin arranged transversely to the pivot of said member and movable on said pivot lwith said member and engageable with said fixed member transversely thereto and in said recess, and an operating member for the out-off arranged to engage said pin transversely thereto at a point between said fixed member and said pivoted member When said pin is in engagement With said fixed member for retaining the operatinv member in detained position, said operating member being releasable from said de tained position by movement of Said pivoted member to release said pin from transverse engagement With said fixed member.

18. In combination, a cut-off, a ixed member having a recess formed therein, a pivoted member, a pin arranged transversely to the pivot of said member and movable on said pivot With said member and engageable with said fixed member transversely thereto and in said recess1 and an operating member for the eut-oli arranged to engage said pin transversely thereto at a point between said fixed Amember and saidpivoted member when said pin is in engagement with said fixed member for retainingthe operating member in detained position, said pin being fusible for releasing the operating mem er from said detained position.

EMMA E. CRooxER, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS. 

